Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

[Brian B.]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I had a 50lb kota riptide for 2 days. Was the worst decision i ever made (was returned to amazon) bought a gas motor and haven't looked back. You can pick up 2-4hp outboards and they will weight 30-35lb. 1 good battery for a troller is 50lb. A good gas motor will last you 30 years and you will be replacing that $100 battery in 3 years

What were your complaints with the MinnKota? What shaft length did you use? Did you buy it for boating/ or for fishing? The weight of the batteries- (again from a fishing platform perspective) has been beneficial on the water, not negative.

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

What were your complaints with the MinnKota? What shaft length did you use? Did you buy it for boating/ or for fishing? The weight of the batteries- (again from a fishing platform perspective) has been beneficial on the water, not negative.

i was trying to use it as my primary engine in the Bay i fish. tide was so strong it would barely move my boat. complaint is (battery and motor weight combined does not equal to the performance you will get of an equally weighted gas outboard)

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I'd like this to be my all purpose boat hence i am opting for the motor. Boating seems much more fun with gas motor!

I saw motors are shaking up and down in in some of the videos. is that a problem for all inflatable boats?

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I'm new to this and purchase a seveylor caravelle 105 k and was thinking if I should put a wooden floor on the seveylor but don't want to damage it . I know on the mariner 4 is more sturdy and better. But the seveylor was good for my budget :/ so any thoughts on the wooden floor I really want to install one

 

[geo2005]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I had a 50lb kota riptide for 2 days. Was the worst decision i ever made (was returned to amazon) bought a gas motor and haven't looked back. You can pick up 2-4hp outboards and they will weight 30-35lb. 1 good battery for a troller is 50lb. A good gas motor will last you 30 years and you will be replacing that $100 battery in 3 years

Or even lighter.
The above mentioned Honda is 24 lbs.
No water pump, no cooling circuit, no oil pump, no gas pump - is virtually indestructible.

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Ajm456, make your wooden floor. You wont have any problems

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I wanted to estimate the total cost of the whole project for me so I can budget better. The cheapest deal I could find for the boat is about $255. A decent used 2/3 hp newer motor would cost me $400/500. I am thinking 90s or later. Don't know much about motor and I would like it to have one reliable and with less Maintenence. Hard Floor may cost about 60-75. License would add another 70. A basic Depth/fish finder about $100. A reserved gas tank, life jacket, document holder, safety box, a chair, a small cooler which I plan on using as a second seat and other misc would need about another $100. Am i right or way off? Did I miss anything?

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I wanted to estimate the total cost of the whole project for me so I can budget better. The cheapest deal I could find for the boat is about $255. A decent used 2/3 hp newer motor would cost me $400/500. I am thinking 90s or later. Don't know much about motor and I would like it to have one reliable and with less Maintenence. Hard Floor may cost about 60-75. License would add another 70. A basic Depth/fish finder about $100. A reserved gas tank, life jacket, document holder, safety box, a chair, a small cooler which I plan on using as a second seat and other misc would need about another $100. Am i right or way off? Did I miss anything?

A decent 3.5 should not cost more then 350. I seen 2008 mercs go for 450. Mid high 90's should be around 3-350. Before you buy an outboard i recommend you do lots of reseach on the motors your looking for and dont deviate just because u see a good price on ebay or craigslist.

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

A decent 3.5 should not cost more then 350. I seen 2008 mercs go for 450. Mid high 90's should be around 3-350. Before you buy an outboard i recommend you do lots of reseach on the motors your looking for and dont deviate just because u see a good price on ebay or craigslist.

as i am still making up my mind on the type of boat, i am decided on a bit newer motor (with in 15/20yrs old) and preferably 2/3hp. I read a lot about motors and still learnning! So far it seems air colled/hondas one seems to have less issues and up keep cost in the long run. and suzuki seems to have good bang for the money used. But these motors seem hard to find locally or on ebay. Even if there is one, price is usually out of my reach.

any good place that you know for used motors for reasonable price? beside CL n ebay.

 

[Brian B.]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I think that Amazon has the Mariner 4 with the better composite mount both in a package fir $265 to your door.

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

as i am still making up my mind on the type of boat, i am decided on a bit newer motor (with in 15/20yrs old) and preferably 2/3hp. I read a lot about motors and still learnning! So far it seems air colled/hondas one seems to have less issues and up keep cost in the long run. and suzuki seems to have good bang for the money used. But these motors seem hard to find locally or on ebay. Even if there is one, price is usually out of my reach.

any good place that you know for used motors for reasonable price? beside CL n ebay.

When looking for a motor always remember "nobody sells good motors for no reason" does not mean you wont find a good one just means do not buy the first one you see. I love suZuki and honda as i am a fan of jap engines but seeing 1950s johnsons/evinrudes run well has lately pulled me that route.

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

The thing worries me is that I don't know much about and it may end up costing me more if I don't go with a good motor. They don't seem to depreciate value much so I don't mind getting a newer one.

As for the boat, I finally placed an order today for the mariner 4 with the motor mount from VMI and they say it get here before the end of week! Excited!!

 

[geo2005]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

as i am still making up my mind on the type of boat, i am decided on a bit newer motor (with in 15/20yrs old) and preferably 2/3hp. I read a lot about motors and still learnning! So far it seems air colled/hondas one seems to have less issues and up keep cost in the long run. and suzuki seems to have good bang for the money used. But these motors seem hard to find locally or on ebay. Even if there is one, price is usually out of my reach.

any good place that you know for used motors for reasonable price? beside CL n ebay.

Take care of the shaft length.
For 99% of inflatable boats you need short shaft, but Mariner needs medium shaft.
So, you'll never use the motor for another boat.
But the motor is more expensive and mor durable than the boat.
Ring a bell ?

 

[Brian B.]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Why did you guys have to bring up the gas motor topic, i have been drooling over 3.5 Tohatsus now for two days. You tube is horrible too, a horrible horrible invention by the varying corporations to make us want MORE STUFF.

For fishing electric is adequate,.. For covering water though boy does that 3.5 look nice- and not wide open, from what i have seen the 3.5 makes real usable power at 1/3 throttle- ill eventually buy one new. Either that or the Tohatsu 6.. Only because the 6 could double duty on a 14 foot jon boat and actually plane it out.

The Tohatsu looks like a fine motor- no wonder Mercury chose Tohatsu for their small motors.

 

[cablebandit]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I have a 1999 Nissan 5hp and it barely planes my 12' Achilles SIB with me only in it. I am working on a 77 Merc 20hp and think I will sell the 5hp. It is a great motor.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Why did you guys have to bring up the gas motor topic, i have been drooling over 3.5 Tohatsus now for two days. You tube is horrible too, a horrible horrible invention by the varying corporations to make us want MORE STUFF.

For fishing electric is adequate,.. For covering water though boy does that 3.5 look nice- and not wide open, from what i have seen the 3.5 makes real usable power at 1/3 throttle- ill eventually buy one new. Either that or the Tohatsu 6.. Only because the 6 could double duty on a 14 foot jon boat and actually plane it out.

The Tohatsu looks like a fine motor- no wonder Mercury chose Tohatsu for their small motors.

Now I will throw you a curve.
Although you can't find any used
And they cost more than the boat:joyous:
Look at a Lehr Propane motor
A little lighter than a gas motor
The propane can use 1 pounds bottles for the 2 1/2 hp
More importantly there is very little maintenance
There is also no gas smell or smoke and no heavy batteries



If you don't want one of these then look at the Honda

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I saw someone did an the exact measurements to cut the floor last year on an excel sheet. I've been trying to find but can't seem to locate it. perhaps was not for the mariner 4?

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Check page 4 and 5 of this thread.
I think it was hurried in the YouTube comments

 

[dancour]

Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

I'm planning on trying the Lehr 2.5 hp on my Mariner next month. Has anyone seen anything on how to beef up the standard motor mount?

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Check page 4 and 5 of this thread.
I think it was hurried in the YouTube comments

some how i am still missing it. i even saved it to my computer back then, but can't seem to find that either.